Child restraint

ABSTRACT

A child restraint configured to be securable to and separable from a base installed in a vehicle, the child restraint comprising an illuminator positioned on an external portion of the child restraint, configured to operate in a first mode, illuminating a first region external to the child restraint wherein, in the event that the child restraint is not secured to the base, and the child restraint is moved, the illuminator will be activated in its first mode, illuminating the first region external to the child restraint for the purpose of aiding securement to the base, and wherein in the event that the child restraint is secured to the base, the first mode will be deactivated.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority to AU Patent Application No.2021201211, filed Feb. 24, 2021, the entirety of which is hereinincorporated by reference and relied upon.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a child restraint for a vehicle. In aparticular form the present invention relates to a child restraint withintegrated lighting.

BACKGROUND

Child restraints (including infant carriers) are configured to beinstalled within a vehicle and may be held in place by a vehicle seatbelt, or alternate connecting means, such as ISOFIX. Child restraintsare sometimes configured to be securable to and separable from a basethat remains secured in a vehicle via seat belt or alternativeconnecting means. Many of these infant carriers are also configured tobe securable to and separable from strollers, either directly or throughthe use of adapters that enable cooperative engagement of infantcarriers and strollers made by different manufacturers.

Securement of infant carriers to bases and strollers can be fiddly andcumbersome, and particularly daunting and stressful for first timeparents or users of the equipment, where correct alignment of latchesand adapters with their respective sockets/receivers is required. Thistask is made even more difficult in low light environments, or ininstances where it is undesirable to illuminate the vehicle so as not todisturb or wake a sleeping child.

It is against this background that the present disclosure has beendeveloped.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, there is provided a child restraintconfigured to be securable to and separable from a base installed in avehicle, the child restraint comprising an illuminator positioned on anexternal portion of the child restraint, configured to operate in afirst mode, illuminating a first region external to the child restraint,wherein, in the event that the child restraint is not secured to thebase, and the child restraint is moved, the illuminator will beactivated in its first mode, illuminating the first region external tothe child restraint for the purpose of aiding securement to the base,and wherein in the event that the child restraint is secured to thebase, the first mode will be deactivated.

In one form, the child restraint further comprises a movement sensor fordetecting movement of the child restraint.

In one form, the movement sensor is a tilt sensor.

In one form, the child restraint further comprises a sensor fordetecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to thebase.

In one form, the sensor for detecting whether or not the child restrainthas been secured to the base, is in the form of a switch, which isactuated when the child restraint is secured to the base.

In one form, the child restraint is further configured to be securableto and separable from a stroller, wherein in the event that the childrestraint is not secured to the stroller, and the child restraint ismoved, the illuminator will be activated in its first mode, illuminatingthe first region external to the child restraint for the purpose ofaiding securement to the stroller, and wherein in the event that thechild restraint is secured to the stroller, the first mode will bedeactivated.

In one form, the child restraint further comprises a sensor fordetecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to thestroller.

In one form, the sensor for detecting whether or not the child restrainthas been secured to the stroller is in the form of a switch, which isactuated when the child restraint is secured to the stroller.

In one form, the illuminator is further configured to operate in asecond mode, illuminating a second region external to the childrestraint, and wherein, in the event that the child restraint is securedto the stroller, and the child restraint is moved, the illuminator willbe activated in its second mode.

In one form, the second region external to the child restraint is aregion fore and aft of the child restraint.

In one form, the first region external to the child restraint is aregion below the child restraint.

In one form, the child restraint further comprises a sensor fordetecting ambient light levels, wherein, in the event that the ambientlight levels exceed a predetermined amount, the illuminator will bedeactivated.

In one form, the child restraint is an infant carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference tothe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child restraint in the form of aninfant carrier, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a lighting system for the infant carrier ofFIG. 1 , according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a lighting system for the infant carrier ofFIG. 1 , according to an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG. 1 installedon a base;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the external lights activated in a first“installation mode”;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the external lights activated in a second“safety mode”;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG. 1 installedon a stroller.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 7 , where there is shown a child restraintin the form of an infant carrier 100 configured to be securable to andseparable from a base 200 installed in a vehicle. The infant carrier 100comprises at least one illuminator 120 positioned on an external portionof the infant carrier 100, configured to operate in a first mode (orinstallation mode), illuminating a first region external to the infantcarrier 100 (as best shown in FIG. 5 ). The infant carrier 100 alsocomprises a movement sensor 140 for detecting movement of the infantcarrier 100 and a sensor 160 for detecting whether or not the infantcarrier 100 has been secured to the base 200. In the event that theinfant carrier 100 has not been secured to the base 200 and the infantcarrier 100 is moved, the illuminator 120 activates the first mode,illuminating the first region external to the infant carrier 100 for thepurpose of aiding securement to the base 200. In the event that theinfant carrier 100 is secured to the base 200, the first mode will bedeactivated.

While in the embodiment shown, the first region external to the childrestraint is a region below the child restraint, it will however beappreciated that in alternative embodiments, the size and directionalityof the first region may differ, but still fall within the scope of thisdisclosure. For example, the first region may include a region directlybelow as well as a region fore and aft, and/or left and right of theinfant carrier.

The movement sensor 140 for detecting movement of the infant carrier 100is in the form of a tilt sensor. It will be appreciated that inalternative embodiments, different types of movement sensors could beemployed, such as accelerometers, infra-red sensors or occupant presencesensors.

The sensor 160 for detecting whether or not the infant carrier 100 hasbeen secured to the base 200 is in the form of a first switch 161 whichis actuated when the infant carrier 100 is secured to the base 200. Theswitch 161 may be positioned on or near the underside of the infantcarrier 100, such that a portion of the base 200 will bear against andactivate the switch 161 during securement.

The infant carrier 100 also comprises at least one sensor 150 fordetecting ambient light levels in the form of an ambient light sensor151, wherein in the event that ambient light levels exceed apredetermined amount, the illuminator will be deactivated.

The infant carrier 100 is also configured to be securable to andseparable from a stroller 300, and also comprises a sensor 170 fordetecting whether or not the infant carrier 100 has been secured to thestroller 300. In the event that the infant carrier 100 has not beensecured to the stroller 300 and the infant carrier 100 is moved, theilluminator 120 will also activate the first mode, illuminating theregion below the infant carrier 100 for the purpose of aiding securementto the stroller 300. In the event that the infant carrier 100 is securedto the stroller 300, the first mode will also be deactivated.

The illuminator 120 is further configured to operate in a second mode(or safety mode), illuminating a second region external to the infantcarrier 100, and wherein, in the event that the infant carrier 100 issecured to the stroller 300, the illuminator 120 will activate thesecond mode in order to improve the visibility of the stroller 300 andinfant carrier 100.

While in the embodiment shown, the second region external to the childrestraint is a region fore and aft of the child restraint, it willhowever be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the size anddirectionality of the second region may differ, but still fall withinthe scope of this disclosure. For example, the second region may includea region fore and aft, and/or left and right of the infant carrier.

The sensor 170 for detecting whether or not the infant carrier 100 hasbeen secured to the stroller 300 is in the form of a second switch 171which is actuated when the infant carrier 100 is secured to thestroller. The second switch 171 may be positioned within or near wherethe stroller 300 connects with the infant carrier 100, such that aportion of the stroller 300 will bear against and activate the switch171 during securement.

While in the embodiments described, the sensors used for detectingwhether or not the infant carrier is secured to the base or the strollerare in the form of a switch, it will be appreciated that alternatesensing arrangements could be employed, and are intended to fall withinthe scope of this disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the infant carrier 100comprises a body 110 providing a support surface for an occupant. Theilluminator 120 takes the form of an external light assembly 121provided on either side of the body. As shown schematically in FIGS. 2and 3 , the external light assembly 121 comprises a housing 122, fourlight emitting diodes (LEDs) 124 a, 124 b, a lens 123, and associatedcircuitry. In the embodiment shown, the housing 122 forms part of astructure secured to the sides 112 of the body 110, providing a mountinglocation for a carry handle 113 for the infant carrier 100, as well as areceiving socket 114 for securing the infant carrier 100 to the stroller300 directly or via an adapter.

The LEDs 124 a, 124 b are arranged in a row such that when operating inthe installation mode, the two inner LEDs (the installation lights) 124a are activated, and when operating in the safety mode, the two outerLEDs (the safety lights) 124 b are activated. It will be appreciatedthat the installation lights 124 a are oriented downward, and the safetylights 124 b are oriented fore and aft respectively, in order to achievethe desired lighting outcome.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4 , it can be seen that the infant carrier100 also comprises a pair of internal light assemblies 130 provided oneither side of the body 110. As shown schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3 ,each internal light assembly 130 comprises a housing 131, four LEDs 132,a lens, two user inputs in the form of upper and lower buttons 134, 135and associated circuitry.

The internal LEDs (the internal lights) 132 are arranged in a row andoriented such that when activated, they are intended to illuminate theoccupant of the infant carrier 100. The internal lights 132 are able tobe operated by virtue of the upper button 134, and the installation andsafety lights 124 a, 124 b are able to be operated by virtue of thelower button 135, their operation will be described in further detailbelow.

It will be appreciated that the type, number, position and orientationof the internal, installation and safety lights 132, 124 a, 124 b mayvary from what is described, while still achieving the desired lightingoutcome.

There are a number of different ways that the internal and externallight assemblies and associated switches and sensors can be configured,as evidenced by the two alternate schematics presented in FIGS. 2 and 3.

With reference to FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the light arrangement maycomprise the two internal light assemblies 130, the two external lightassemblies 121 and a battery assembly 180, wherein the battery assembly180 comprises a rechargeable battery 181 and battery management system182 provided within a housing 183. In addition to the internal lights132, the internal light assemblies 130 may also comprise charging ports136, on board microcontrollers 137 and battery status indicators 138.The internal light assemblies 130 are then connected in parallel to thebattery assembly 180. It can also be seen that in this arrangement, afirst external light assembly 121 is connected to the battery assembly180, and in addition to the safety and installation lights 124 a, 124 b,also comprises the tilt sensor 140, light sensor 151, second switch 171and a microcontroller 127. It can be seen that the second external lightassembly 121 is then connected to the first light assembly 121. Thefirst switch 161 is directly connected to the battery assembly 180.

With reference to FIG. 3 , it can be seen that the light arrangement maycomprise the two internal light assemblies 130, the two external lightassemblies 121 and an electronic control unit (ECU) 190 electronicallyconnected to the two internal and two external light assemblies 130,121. The ECU 190 is provided within a housing 193 which may bepositioned on the underside of the infant carrier 100, and comprises arechargeable battery 191 and battery management system 192, tilt sensor140, speaker 194, microcontroller 195 and associated circuitry forreceiving and/or sending signals to the internal and external lightassemblies 130, 121 as well as the first and second switches 161, 171.In addition to the internal lights 132, the internal light assemblies130 may also comprise charging ports 136 and ambient light sensors 151.The internal and external light assemblies 130, 121 and first and secondswitches 161, 171 are then individually connected to the ECU 190. Whilein the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , a visual battery status indicator isprovided, FIG. 3 provides a speaker 194 which can provide an acousticsignal.

It will be appreciated that these two arrangements offer one optionwhere the internal and external lights are centrally controlled by theECU 190 (as per FIG. 3 ) or self-controlled as stand-alone modules thatare simply powered by the battery housing 180 (as per FIG. 2 ). It willhowever be appreciated that further configurations are also possible,for instance, in an alternate embodiment, a child restraint may beprovided with only interior or exterior lights, or in a furtherembodiment, the number of interior and exterior light assemblies mayvary.

While in the embodiments shown, communication between the variouscomponents occurs via a cable link, it will be appreciated that inalternate embodiments, communication may occur via fibre optics,infra-red, or various wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi orBluetooth.

An example of how the internal lights 132 may be operated will now bedescribed. The internal lights 132 are operated manually with either ofthe upper buttons 134. A short press of either upper button 134 willswitch on both sets of internal lights 132, with further short presseswithin a predetermined time period of 10 seconds, increasing theintensity of the lights. If a short press is performed after thepredetermined time period, the internal lights will switch off.

The internal lights 132 also feature an auto-off function, where at anyintensity, a long press on either upper button 134 will active theauto-off timer function. Once activated a countdown will start and theinternal lights will switch off automatically after 2 minutes. It willbe appreciated that this function gives an operator enough time toensure that the child has been buckled in to the carrier, to walk to thedrivers seat, sit in the car, start driving and have the lights switchoff automatically.

An example of how the external lights 124 a, 124 b may be operated willnow be described. The default mode of operation is an automatic mode,where the system will detect darkness/brightness, movement/non-movementand usage on base or stroller and activate/deactivate the lightsaccordingly.

A short press on either of the lower buttons 135 will set the system toautomatic mode. In a bright environment, both the installation andsafety lights 124 a, 124 b remain off (or will be switched off whenmoving from a dark environment to a bright environment). When the infantcarrier is being moved and it is dark, the installation lights 124 awill turn on and the safety lights 124 b will remain off. If after apredetermined period of time of no movement, the installation lights 124a will switch off again (time-out). When the infant carrier 100 issecured to a stroller 300 in the dark, the installation lights 124 awill switch off and the safety lights 124 b will switch on. If after apredetermined period of time of no movement, the safety lights 124 bwill turn off (time out). When the infant carrier 100 is separated fromthe stroller 300, the safety lights 124 b will switch off and theinstallation lights will turn on 124 a. When the infant carrier 100 issecured to the base 200 in the vehicle in the dark, the installationlights 124 a will switch off.

It is also possible to switch to a manual mode of operation, where, whenin automatic mode, a first short press on the lower button 135 willactivate the manual mode and both the safety and installation lights 124a, 124 b will turn on (regardless of bright or dark environment). Asecond short press within a predetermined time period of 10 seconds onthe lower button 135 will lead to safety lights 124 b on, installationlight 124 a off. A third short press within a predetermined time periodof 10 seconds on the lower button 135 will lead to safety light 124 boff, installation light 124 a on. A fourth short press within apredetermined time period of 10 seconds on the lower button 135 willlead back to auto mode. If in manual mode and the infant carrier 100 isreleased from the stroller 300 or base 200, it will revert to automaticmode. If in manual mode, after the predetermined time period of 10seconds, a short press on the lower button 135 will revert back toautomatic mode.

It is also possible to turn off the exterior lights 124 a, 124 bentirely, which is recommended for long periods of non-use. This isachieved by a long press on the lower button.

In the embodiments shown and described, the interior and exterior lightswere operated using buttons located on the interior light assemblies, itwill be appreciated that numerous other arrangements and modes ofoperation may be applied, for example the location or number of buttonsmay vary. Alternatively, the lights may be operated by means of an“on-board” user interface such as a touch screen, further still thelights may be operated by an “external” user interface such as an app ona connected smart device, a remote control, voice control device, orintegrated as part of the vehicle entertainment and control system.

In the embodiments shown and described, the infant carrier 100 featuresan integrated lighting arrangement, however it will be appreciated thatin alternate embodiments, the various components making up the lightingarrangement could be retrofitted to an existing seat or infant carrier.It will also be appreciated that the above disclosure does not have tobe limited to an infant carrier.

While a child restraint in the form of an infant carrier has been shownand described, it will be appreciated that all or at least some of theabove described features could also be employed on another type of childrestraint, such as a forward and/or rearward facing restraint.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” andvariations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood toimply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but notthe exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and shouldnot be taken as, an acknowledgment of any form of suggestion that suchprior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention isnot restricted in its use to the particular application described.Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodimentwith regard to the particular elements and/or features described ordepicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is notlimited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable ofnumerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined bythe following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A child restraint configured to be securable to and separable from a base installed in a vehicle, the child restraint comprising: an illuminator positioned on an external portion of the child restraint, configured to operate in a first mode, illuminating a first region external to the child restraint; wherein, in the event that the child restraint is not secured to the base, and the child restraint is moved, the illuminator will be activated in its first mode, illuminating the first region external to the child restraint for the purpose of aiding securement to the base, and wherein in the event that the child restraint is secured to the base, the first mode will be deactivated.
 2. The child restraint as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a movement sensor for detecting movement of the child restraint.
 3. The child restraint as claimed in claim 2, wherein the movement sensor is a tilt sensor.
 4. The child restraint as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a sensor for detecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to the base.
 5. The child restraint as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sensor for detecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to the base, is in the form of a switch, which is actuated when the child restraint is secured to the base.
 6. The child restraint as claimed in claim 2, further configured to be securable to and separable from a stroller, wherein in the event that the child restraint is not secured to the stroller, and the child restraint is moved, the illuminator will be activated in its first mode, illuminating the first region external to the child restraint for the purpose of aiding securement to the stroller, and wherein in the event that the child restraint is secured to the stroller, the first mode will be deactivated.
 7. The child restraint as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a sensor for detecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to the stroller.
 8. The child restraint as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sensor for detecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to the stroller is in the form of a switch, which is actuated when the child restraint is secured to the stroller.
 9. The child restraint as claimed in claim 6, wherein the illuminator is further configured to operate in a second mode, illuminating a second region external to the child restraint, and wherein, in the event that the child restraint is secured to the stroller, and the child restraint is moved, the illuminator will be activated in its second mode.
 10. The child restraint as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second region external to the child restraint is a region fore and aft of the child restraint.
 11. The child restraint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first region external to the child restraint is a region below the child restraint.
 12. The child restraint as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting ambient light levels, wherein, in the event that the ambient light levels exceed a predetermined amount, the illuminator will be deactivated.
 13. The child restraint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the child restraint is an infant carrier. 